Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
A Two Day International Conference on Trade and Marketing of Coconut Products with the Theme ‘Global Coconut Industry – Cruising to the Pinnacle’ started in Hyderabad today
Coconut Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India in association with the International Coconut Community  organized a two day International Conference on Trade and Marketing of Coconut Products with the participation of stakeholders from across the globe. The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Vijayalakshmi Nadendla IAS, Chief Executive Officer, CDB in the presence of Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC; Dr. Reghunandan Rao IAS, Principal Secretary and APC, Govt. of Telengana; Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE; Dr. Ramesh Mittal, Director, CCS NIAM, Jaipur, Mr. Bernie Ferrer Cruz, ICC National Liaison Officer and Administrator.
The Theme of the Conference is Global Coconut Industry – Cruising to the Pinnacle. The objective of the programme is sharing of perspectives of coconut industry and global players on market prospects, sustained development of the sector and dissemination of knowledge on the innovative industry practices and working towards securing the prospective opportunities of the sector.
In her opening remarks, Dr. N. Vijayalakskmi IAS, CEO said that the need of the hour is to enhance productivity in Agriculture and at the same time ensure sustainability and resilience towards climate change. The industry and coconut farmers should move hand in hand in order to achieve sustained development of the sector. As per 2020 statistics of ICC, India is the largest coconut producing country in the world, with 30.93% share of global production, followed by Indonesia and Philippines. India ranks second in terms of productivity 9,346 nuts per ha next to Vietnam 10,547 nuts per ha. The coconut crop contributes around Rs.307; 956 million to the country’s GDP and earns export revenue of around Rs.75, 768.80 million.
She informed that the Board undertakes market promotion activities for the development of the coconut sector in the country. The major activities comprise of Market Promotion, Market Intelligence, Market Research, Market Development, facilitating Farmers’ Collectives and performing the responsibilities of Export Promotion Council  and other enabling policies. Exports of coconut products during 2021-22 were valued at Rs.3236.83 crore as against Rs.2294.81 crore in 2020-21 registering a positive growth of 40.09% over the previous year.
She also pointed out that CDB started a novel extension approach to organize farmers by formation of three-tier Farmer Collectives with Coconut Producers’ Societies  at primary level and integrate them to form Coconut Producers’ Federation  at intermediate level and Coconut Producers’ Company  at apex level. So far, 9787 CPSs, 747 CPFs and 68 CPCs are formed in the country.
Dr.Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC, in her address stressed about facilitating the transfer of technical information on global market prospects in coconut, innovative industry in coconut sector and sustainability in coconut sector.
Dr.Raghunandan Rao IAS, Principal Secretary and APC, Govt. of Telengana in his address pointed out that, Telengana is invested heavily on agriculture and there is a tremendous growth in the crop, coconut. He informed that the State is shifting from field crops to plantation crops.
Mr.Bernie Ferrer Cruz, ICC National Liaison Officer and Administrator emphasized the importance of coconut sector, which needs a breakthrough in market research, quality of coconut value added products, digital marketing.
On the occasion, the Diamond Jubilee issue of Indian Coconut Journal of CDB released and an MOU was signed between CDB and National Institute of Agricultural Extension and Management  and National Institute of Agricultural Marketing  for carrying out market research activities and FPOs.
The two days International conference will cover 4 sessions, on International Outlook for Coconut Products; Moving towards Sustainable Coconut Sourcing; Global Market Prospects and Growth Prospects for Coconut Products; and Innovative Industry Practices and Application of Technology in Coconut Sector, wherein 20 technical papers will be presented.
In this conference, more than 450 delegates joined virtually across the globe and 26 international delegates are participated physically.